# Tomorrow's Child
![[PR-TOMCHILD_02.jpg]]
## About Tomorrow's Child
12- Channel Immersive Radio Play for a blindfolded audience
**TOMORROW'S CHILD** is my most ambitious audio work yet—a 45-minute immersive experience that explores the dangers of human dependence on technology. Designed for blindfolded audiences, the piece transports listeners into Ray Bradbury’s retro-futuristic world, relying solely on sound and the imagination.
Surrounded by eight speakers, with two overhead and a subwoofer, the audience is immersed in an unfolding narrative. Think of it as a classic radio play, but on a much larger, more intense scale.
Set in a fictional 1988, the story follows new parents Polly and Peter, whose baby is born into another dimension due to a malfunctioning birth device. Now, their child appears to them only as a floating blue triangle.
The piece highlights the unintended consequences of trusting advanced technology with the most intimate human experiences.
![[PR-TOMCHILD_03.jpg]]
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## Reviews
“Impressive” ★★★★ - Mark Fisher, The Guardian, UK
"It’s an engrossing adventure that showcases a remarkable use of sound design." ★★★★ - Cindy Marcolina, Broadway World, UK
"A unique theatre experience and a delight for fans of retro science fiction." ★★★★ - Ed Fortune, Starburst Magazine, UK
"This is perhaps one of the most unique experiences on offer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival." ★★★★ - Justin Clarke, Theatre Thoughts, Australia
“…your ears receive the audio equivalent of a five-star dinner.” Stephen Hunt, Calgary Herald, Canada
“…an intriguing immersive experience combined with compelling storytelling.” Jessica Goldman - CBC Radio, Canada
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![[PR-TOMCHILD_01.jpg]]
## Production History
**March 2014**: Premiered in Calgary at the West Village Theatre, as part 1 of Ghost River Theatre’s Six Senses Performance Series.
**September 2014**: Beakerhead Festival, University of Calgary (with the Support of The School for Creative and Performing Arts)
**January 2016**: High Performance Rodeo, Vertigo Studio Theatre, Calgary
**April 2016**: The West Village Theatre, Calgary (with the support of Willow Park School)
**August 2016**: SummerWorks Festival, Toronto (part of the National Presentation Series)
**February 2017**: Undercurrents Festival, Ottawa
**October/November 2017**: Presented by Theatre Projects Manitoba at the West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
**March 2018**: Presented by The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts**,** Burnaby, BC
**March 2018**: Presented at The Belfry Theatre’s SPARK Festival, Victoria, BC
**June 2020**: Presented digitally with Vertigo Theatre, Calgary, AB
**August 2023**: Presented by Assembly Festival at Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh, UK
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## Awards
_Winner_ - Best Technical Design (Matthew Waddell), 2014 Calgary Critics Awards
_Nomination_ - Best Creative Concept, 2014 Calgary Critics Awards
_Nomination_ - Outstanding Sound Design or Composition (Matthew Waddell and Eric Rose), 2015 Betty Mitchell Awards
_Nomination_ - Outstanding New Play, 2015 Betty Mitchell Awards
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![[IMG_1828.jpg]]
## Original production credits
Adapted from the Ray Bradbury story, Tomorrow's Child, by Matthew Waddell, Eric Rose and David van Belle
Direction and Sound Design: Eric Rose and Matthew Waddell
Assistant Direction: Evan Medd
Production Intern: Gillian Clark
Original Music: Jesse Osborne-Lantheir and Sarah Albu
Sculpture: Emily Promise Allison
Audio Engineer for Stereo Mixdown: Carolina Rodriguez
Head Audience Service Mech: Jamie Konchak
Additional Sound Mechs: Jozsef Iszlai, Cluj-Napoca, (Romania), Todd Helsley, Evansville, (Indiana), Tim Crawshaw, (Montreal)
Choir Mechs: Sarah Albu, Etienne Capacchione, Clayton Kennedy, Anne-Marie Lozier, Katherine Black, John Fitz, Elan Force, Willow Crump, Bruce Bart, Sam Callperk
**Featuring**
Tyrell Crews as Peter
Anna Cummer as Polly
David van Belle as Dr. Wolcott
Wren van Belle & Aubery Hall as Py
Additional Performers: Geneviève Paré, Aaron Zeiffer, Helen Knight, Joleen Ceraldi, Evan Medd, Eric Rose, Matthew Waddell, Molly-Raine Dale
Special Thanks: Caitlin Gallichan-Lowe, Laura Anzola, PK Sound, Beakerhead, University of Calgary, Patrick Finn, City of Calgary, Ray Bradbury Estate, Katie Grimm, Craig Hall, Rose Brow, High Performance Rodeo
Based on the short story “Tomorrow Child” by Ray Bradbury, originally published as “The Shape of Things”© 1947; renewed 1975 by Ray Bradbury. Performed by permission of Don Congdon Associates, Inc.
Poster image by Laura Anzola
![[PR-TOMCHILD_04.jpg]]
## Related Topics
### Tags
#Tech-Critique #Collaboration #Sound #Performance
### Notes
[[Critique of Technological Progress]]
### Projects
[[Website/Projects/DEEP DIVE|DEEP DIVE]]
[[DEEP SOLUTIONS]]